Travelers through Palm Springs International Airport may notice a little more color in the baggage claim area.
The airport has added new artwork, which is meant to bring more of the Palm Springs charm to the the first place many visitors see when they arrive in the Coachella Valley.
“One of the (goals) from the very beginning was, how do we turn this baggage claim into something fun, colorful, that people are going to enjoy?” said Patrick Barwinski, a Riverside County artist whose work has been featured in public arts projects throughout the region.
He spoke at a press conference held by airport officials to debut the new artwork the morning of Tuesday, June 16. His work now adorns the supportive pillars, where silhouettes of desert plants are seen against striped backgrounds, with the colors of the sunset.
“This project is about more than just installing artwork,” said Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles. “It’s all about making sure that one of our most important assets in public spaces reflects the community we serve.”
Barwinski’s work helped launch an initiative called Art@PSP, with new artwork being swapped in periodically.
With its outdoor patio and view of the mountains, the airport has been known to wow arriving visitors. In addition to beautifying its baggage claim area, the airport is undergoing a large expansion.
Notably, a Federal Inspection Services facility could be built, which would allow for international flights to Mexico and Europe. The airport has also targeted constructing a new rental car center, although plans for that and a broader expansion have not been finalized.
With a record 3.3 million people flying through the airport in 2025, Palm Springs sees demand only increasing in the future. Much of the interior has already been updated to include new dining and shopping options.
“What was created here was much more than an art program,” said said Kevin J. Corcoran, the chairman of the Palm Springs Airport Commission. “This airport is not simply a transportation facility. It is the front door to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs airport adds public art, bringing charm to baggage claim
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
